A Sigh of Relief

There was a big sigh of relief in the office when the RMBL surpassed our fundraising goal of $225,000 on Dec. 28. September of 2008 was not the best time to set up a development office. Long-time RMBL scientists Nick Waser and Mary Price made a generous donation of land to jumpstart our development efforts, but in the economic meltdown it proved impossible to sell land. Consequently we were in the position of being successful with our fundraising now, or substantially cutting the services we provide to students and scientists.

We should not forget that last year was a hard year for many. Unemployment topped 10% and communities across the United States are being disrupted as homes are foreclosed. Many of our scientists have experienced salary cuts or have been furloughed. We can all hope for a better 2010, but employment is slow to follow an economic recovery and unfortunately foreclosures will continue.

It is incumbent that we all understand that when a donor makes a gift of money or time they are making an investment. They have decided that by supporting the Lab, they can make the world a better place. We have a responsibility to honor those investments and ensure money is being spent effectively and efficiently. This is a high bar because while there is much that needs to be done now, supporting science is a long-term investment.

The world is a better place because of the RMBL. Numerous students have experienced life-changing experiences and RMBL science has led to cleaner air, cleaner water, and a stronger understanding of how the world is changing in ways that affect our health and happiness. The national investment in understanding the environment is so low that the RMBL will continue to be a leading source of information for policy makers. I thank everybody who supported the Lab in 2009. Please know that we will honor the responsibility with which we have been entrusted to make the world a better place.